The 2026 Turi 7s was an important weekend for DBA Africa rugby academy. It was another chance for our boys to test themselves, learn, and show what is possible when young talent is given an opportunity.

Our U15 team had a strong tournament, winning six matches on the way to the Cup Final before finishing runners-up after a hard-fought game against St. Anthony’s Kitale. Along the way, the boys picked up impressive wins against St Christopher’s International School, Turi School, RVA, Uganda’s Kyadondo Rugby Academy, and Crawford School. Each match brought a different challenge, and with every game, the team grew stronger, more confident, and more connected.

A Weekend That Meant More Than Rugby

For many of these young players, tournaments like Turi 7s are about much more than what happens on the pitch. They are opportunities to step into new environments, meet new people, and experience spaces that many of them would not normally have access to. It is in these moments that rugby becomes bigger than sport. Most of these boys come from communities where opportunities are not always easy to find. Resources are limited, and for many, structured rugby training only happens once a week. Yet despite those challenges, they continue to show up, work hard, and believe in what they can become.

At Turi, they stood side by side with some of the best-resourced schools in the region, schools with strong systems, quality facilities, and regular competition. But once the whistle blew, none of that mattered. What mattered was heart, discipline, and the willingness to fight for each other.

The Bigger Picture Behind the Performance

The results at Turi were a reflection of the work being done behind the scenes. Under the guidance of Olympian Coach Jacob Ojee, former Kenya Simbas captain Coach Elisha Koronya, and National Sevens Circuit champion Coach Leeon Nyang, the boys continue to grow in more ways than just rugby. The focus has always been on building good habits, discipline, accountability, and teamwork. Those values and life skills were clear throughout the tournament. Whether in victory or defeat, the boys carried themselves with humility, respected their opponents, and stayed together.

Moments like these remind us why DBA Africa exists. Winning matters, but creating opportunities, building character, and helping young people believe in themselves matters even more.

Gratitude to the Turi 7s Community

We would like to thank the Turi 7s organising committee for putting together a great tournament to help grow grassroots rugby and for giving young athletes from different backgrounds and countries a place to compete, learn, and grow. To our players, coaches, parents, and everyone who continues to support the DBA Africa journey, thank you. This weekend was another step forward, and there is still so much more ahead.